Thermodynamic machine



Dec. 6, 1949 KOLLSMAN 2,490,065

THERMODYNAMIC MACHI NE Filed Aug. 27, 1945 IN V ENTOR.

f 242/1. /f0.44sM 4/v, WW, BY V Patented Dec. 6, 1949 UNITED STATES FTENT OFFIC THERMODYNAMIC MACHINE Paul Kollsman, New York, N. Y.. Application August 27, 1945, Serial No. 612,954

One object of the invention is the provision of a thermodynamic machine in which a gas is rotated while passing in a path radially toward the periphery and return with absorption of the heat ofcompression of the gas toward the periphery and with cooling effected by the expanding gas in the return path, with the gas from the return portion of the path being returned to the outwardly extending path portion.

Another object of the invention is a thermodynamic machine in accordance with the preceding object in which flow of gas is effected by a centrifugal compressor portion of the machine.

Another object of the invention is a thermodynamic machine in accordance with the preceding objects in which there is provided heat transfer means for further cooling the compressed gas by the lower temperature expanded gas after leaving its heat exchange portion.

Other objects and features of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the specification and appended drawings illustrating certain preferred embodiments in which:

Figure 1 is a view partially in section and partly in elevation of a thermodynamic machine according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view partly in section on the line 11-41 of Figure l with the lower portion shown in elevation.

Figure 3 is a partial sectional view on the line III-III of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a reduced partial sectional view on the line IV-IV of Figure 1.

As specifically illustrated in the drawings the thermodynamic machine according to the present invention comprises an outer casing 1 within which is rotatably supported a shaft 2 upon a direct bearing 3 and an indirect bearing 4 in 16 Claims. (01. 62-436) which rotates a part rigid with [he shaft. Upon the shaft 2 is mounted an interior rotor portion 5- formed of spaced sections to provide an insulating space 6, with the space adjacent the axis of the machine filled by a solid insulating seal 1. Exteriorly of the interior rotor section 5 is an outer casing 6 connected thereto by a plurality of fins 1 spaced circumferentially about the rotor to form a plurality of individual gas chambers having radial legs 8 and 9 and a peripheral bight l l. The chambers further comprise axially extending portions l2 provided by fins l3 between shaft 2 and the interior rotor section 5. A hub It connected to the casing 6' is received within the bearing 4 to complete the support for the rotor elements.

At the inner end of the shaft 2 there is provided a disc l5 rotating therewith and connected to the interior rotor portion by radially extending portions l6 of the fins I3 so as to form a plurality of short radially extending chamber legs ll. Outwardly of the ends of the chamber legs ll there is provided a diffuser passage l8 be tween disc l5 and the inner rotor portion 5.

Rigidly mounted in the hub of the casing l is a stationary shaft l9 carrying a stationary disc 2! upon which are supported a plurality of fins 22 forming stationary chamber legs 23. The rotary chamber legs 8 and 9 and their connecting peripheral bights II, with the axially extending legs l2 and the short radially extending legs I! form a plurality of continuous gas passages spaced circumferentially about the rotor. These passages communicate with the common diffuser passage l8 and again with the individual stationary chamber legs 23 likewise forming a plurality of individual chambers spaced circumferentially about the rotor.

7 effecting heat transfer with high efficiency. The

cooling water is drawn off from the casing through the outlet 25. Along the chamber leg 9 there is shown a heat transfer medium comprising a sprayer 25 for spraying a liquid on the surface of the casing E so as to effect a reduction of the temperature of the liquid with the liquid discharged through the outlet 21 to supply a usable cooled medium.

Within the interior of rotor 5 there are provided a plurality of closed passageways 28'spaced circum-ierential'ly about the rotor and preferably with at least one passageway provided for each chamber about the rotor. Within the passage- .ways 28 there is provided a liquid adapted to circulate under the action of centrifugal force on different temperature and density portions of the liquid with'the interior axially extending legs of the passageways in heat transfer relation with the chamber legs l2 and with the peripheral axially extending legs of the passageways in heat erably a heavy gas maintained at superatmose:

pheric pressure. One of the monatomic gases is particularly suited for this purpose although the machine will function with the use of any gas therein.

While certain of the pas-sage or chamber legs have been spoken of as radial, it will be under stood that they may have any desireddirection having radial components.

In operation of the machine the shaft 2 is rotated from an exterior source of power and cooling water is supplied to the wall-ofscasing fi' from the sprayer 26. rotated, the short radially extending chamber legs ll act as a centrifugal compressorvto force gas outwardly from their periphery into the diffuser passage I8. Within the passage Hi the rotational energy of the gas is converted into pressure en- .ergy to: effect 1. a; resultant :flow of; gas. through the passagesor chambers about the rotor. Gas passing inwardly ,throughthe chambenlegslzlhaslno rotational velocity since the fins 2Zare stationary sat-hat no; backepressure is built. up tooppose. the pressure; obtainedi'fromzthe chamber legs i'i. "Gasdeaving'the; stationary: chamberllegs 23 enters the: rotary chamber. :legs or passages 8i and :moves .1 outwardly :toward' the periphery 1 of the machine. "AS the :gaS passestoward the bights I Ls-of the'. chambers. it becomes progressively compressed xurider the action of;c.entrifugal..force on the;:gascolumns in the radial ,chamber legs 8 and; 9,, and the heat: of compression: of the gas :is absorbed by; the cooling .watenfrom the sprayer '24 contracting lthe :outerw surface, of.:.the.:-casing l 6' boundingathes'gastpassages. FASZIhei gas :moves :inwardlytowardxthe axis-of thezmachine' through the::ohamb.er; legs 19,1.it: will:--progressiyely expand with afresultant .lowering -.;.of :temperature and awithf' heat? transfernthroughythewalls; of. casing i6'1=to co.ol the:liquidxfromlthesprayer 2,6. .JIhe :gas passingz-intorthe.axially,extending chamber -legs 12 willibe ataslower temperature than. the compressed gas and:willzcoohthefliquid in:the inner axially extending leg ofithepassageway 28. vUnder the. actionof centrifugal force on the different density and 1 temperature portions of the :liquid .in .the' passageway 28, ,aJcirculating; flow rwilLbe set upin-aoeounterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1. the cooleddiquid reaches .the axially: extending. leg of the passageway. ad-

:jacent toithe peripheryof the'rotor, it :will absorb ,heatsfrom the compressed. gas within chamber 'bights l Into further lower the-temperature of the compressed gas. Itawillbe noted that. the liquid circulation .is .in= counterflow: relation with the flow of :gas through the axially. extending pas- ,sageslorllchambers II and I2. Withiithe circuilatingrheatl exchanger the :temperature of the compressed. gasnis lowered .to-provide fora furltheryloweringaof: the temperature ofithe -ex-' panding gas in the chamber legs 91 orlforagreater heat absorption; thereat.

The-interior ofIthe-caslng l is evacuated. through the outlet 29 to lessen the airfrictional resistance to rotation of' the casing d'. The casing I may, alternatively, "be' filled with a light-gas; such as hydrogen or helium, toreduce the resistance to As the rotor elements are force must be overcome by the pressure developed by the rotary compressor formed by the chamber legs IT to effect the desired flow.

While the machine has been described for effecting cooling of the medium introduced through sprayer 26 it will be understood that it may also be used to efiect heating of the medium introduced from the sprayer 24 with the fluid from the sprayer 26 utilized to heat the gas in the expansion passages. For this utilization the function of the "Sprayers may be reversed with water at normal temperature introduced from the sprayer 26 and the medium to be heated introduced, from the sprayer 24.

While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been specifically disclosed, it is Hunderstood'thatlthe invention is not limited thereto, as many variations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the invention is to be given its broadest possible interpret&tlOn:'-Wi,thin:.the, terms ofthe following claims:

What is claimedis: 1 In- 1athermodynamic zmachine,-;means spro- .vidingla. substantial :oU-shaped passage. for gas flow,:.:means for. rotating said first 1 mentioned :means about. an axiswith the legsxoftheUeX- tending substantially radially; of thezaxis and with the bight remote therefrom; the gas in said passage being progressively:compressed toward the bight undertheaactionjof centrifugal force on the gas columns in .the .legsymeans, forabsorb- :ing the heat of ,compressionsof .thecompressed viding substantially. U-shaped passage for gas flow, meansufoiwrotatin said first mentioned gmeansaboutanaxis'withthelegs of the U extendingasubstantially,radially. of the axis and lwithithe; bight remote therefrom, the gas in said passage being progressively-:compressed toward the-:bight .under the action of centrifugal force .on; theygasacolumns =in the'legs'means for absorbing the heat of compression of the compressed; gas, means interconnecting the ends of saidv passage to form aclosedsystem, said interconnecting means comprising a gas passage r0- tating'withythe said first :mentioned means to :formsa; centrifugal compressor to maintain the flow of gas through said passage, and means for introducinga medium to be cooled in heat transfer relation with the expanding gas.

:;3.:'In a thermodynamicmachine, means providing a substantially U shaped passage for gas flow, ;means for rotating said first mentioned means; about an-axis-with the legs'of the U extending substantially radially of the axis and with the" bi'ght remotetherefrom," the; gas in said-passage being; progressively compressed 1 toward; the b ight under the action of centrifugal force on the gas columnsin the legsymeans' for absorbing the heat of compression of. the compressed gas, means interconnecting/the ends-of said passage to form a closed system; said interconnectingmeans cornprising a gas passage rotating-with the, saidflrst mentioned-means to form a centrifugal compressor, and astationary passage leading from said compressor to theinlet leg of the;ufor'maintaininggas'fiow-through the passage.

4. .In" arthermodynamicmachine, means pro- 'viding a substantially -U-shaped"passage for gas flow, means for rotating said first mentioned means about an axis with the legs of the U extending substantially radially of the axis and with the bight remote therefrom, the gas in said passage being progressively compressed toward the bight under the action of centrifugal force on the gas columns in the legs, means for ab-. sorbing the heat of compression of the compressed gas, means interconnecting the ends of said passage to form a closed system, said inter-- connecting means comprising a gas passage rotating with the said first mentioned means to form a centrifugal compressor and a stationary passage leading from said compressor to the inlet leg of the U for maintaining gas flow through the passage, and means for introducing a medium to be cooled in heat transfer relation with the expanding gas in the passage.

5. In a thermodynamic machine, means providing a substantially U-shaped passage for gas flow, means for rotating said first mentioned means about an axis with the legs of the U extending substantially radially of the axis and with the bight remote therefrom, the gas in said passage being progressively compressed toward the bight under the action of centrifugal force on the gas columns in the legs, means for absorbing the heat of compression of the compressed gas, means interconnecting the ends of said passage to form a closed system, said interconnecting means comprising a gas passage rotating with the said first mentioned means to form a centrifugal compressor and a stationary passage leading from said compressor to the inlet leg of the U for maintaining gas flow through the passage, means for introducing a medium to be cooled in heat transfer relation with the expanding gas in the passage, and means for further cooling the compressed gas by the residual low temperature of the expanded gas after absorption of heat from said medium to be cooled.

6. In a thermodynamic machine, means providing a substantially U-shaped passage for gas flow, means for rotating said first mentioned means about an axis with the legs of the U extending substantially radially of the axis and with the bight remote therefrom, the gas in said passage being progressively compressed toward the bight under the action of centrifugal force on the gas columns in the legs, means for absorb ing the heat of compression of the compressed gas, means for effecting gas flow through said passage, means for introducing a medium to be cooled in heat transfer relation with the expanding gas in the outlet leg of the passage, and means for further cooling the compressed gas by the residual low temperature of the expanded gas after absorption of heat from said medium to be cooled.

7. In a thermodynamic machine, means providing a substantially U-shaped passage for gas flow, means for rotating said first mentioned means about an axis with the legs of the U extending substantially radially of the axis and with the bight remote therefrom, the gas in said passage being progressively compressed toward the bight under the action of centrifugal force on the gas columns in the legs, means for absorbing the heat of compression of the compressed gas, means for effecting gas flow through said passage, means for introducing a medium to be cooled in heat transfer relation with the expanding gas in the outlet leg of the passage, and means for further cooling the compressed gas by the residual low temperature of the expanded gas '6 after absorption of heat from said medium to be cooled, including a liquid circulating in counter flow heat exchange relation with the expanded and compressed gas.

8. In a thermodynamic machine, means providing a substantially U-shaped passage for gas flow, means for rotating said first mentioned means about an axis with the legs of the U extending substantially radially of the axis and with the bight remote therefrom, the gas in said passage being progressively compressed toward the bight under the action of centrifugal force on the gas columns in the legs, means for absorbing the heat of compression of the compressed gas, means for effecting gas flow through said passage, means for introducing a medium to be cooled in heat transfer relation with the expanding gas in the outlet leg of the passage, and means for further cooling the compressed gas by the residual low temperature of the expanded gas after absorption of heat from said medium to be cooled including a liquid circulating in counter flow heat exchange relation with the expanded and compressed gas, the liquid circulation being maintained by the action of centrifugal force on portions thereof at different temperature and density.

9. In a thermodynamic machine, a rotor, a plurality of individual gas chambers spaced circumferentially about said rotor, said chambers having radially extendin portions and peripheral connecting bights, passage means within the rotor interconnecting the ends of said chambers for forming a closed system, means for rotating said rotor from a power source, the gas in said radial legs being progressively compressed toward the peripheral bights under the action of centrifugal force on the gas columns in the legs, means for absorbing the heat of compression of the compressed gas, means for effecting gas flow through said chambers, and means including a duct separate from said chambers and passage means for introducing a medium to be cooled inheat transfer relation with the expanding gas 0 flowing toward the axis of the rotor.

10. In a thermodynamic machine, a rotor, a plurality of individual gas chambers spaced circumferentially about said rotor, said chambers having radially extending portions and peripheral connecting bights, passage means interconnecting the ends of said chambers for forming a closed system, means for rotating said rotor from an exterior power source, the gas in said radial legs being progressively compressed toward the peripheral bights under the action of centrifugal force on the gas columns in the legs, means for absorbing the heat of compression of the compressed gas, means for effecting gas iiow through said chambers, means for introducing a medium to be cooled in'heat transfer relation with the expanding gas flowing toward the axis of the rotor and means for further cooling the compressed gas adjacent the bights of the chambers by the residual low temperature of the expanded gas after heat absorption from said medium to be cooled.

11. In a thermodynamic machine, a rotor, a plurality of individual gas chambers spaced circumferentially about said rotor, said chambers having radially extending portions forming legs and peripheral connecting bights, the ends of one set of the legs of said chambers constituting outlets, and having axially extending portions, a rotary compressor within said rotor communicating with said axial portions for delivering the fsaidi medium to be: cooled.

and means including aductseparate from said :chambers and legs: for introducing:-;a: medium to :becooled in heat :transfer::relation with the expanded gas circulating =within the; rotor.

,5 12.: In a thermodynamic "'machine, a; rotor,--.a plurality of individual gas chambersv spaced cir- :cumferentially about: said: rotor, :said" chambers having radially extending: portions forming-legs rand peripheralconnectingbights, the. ends of one ,set ofzthe legs. of said chambers constituting out- .lets 'and. :having axially :extending portions,:;a I

."rotary-compressorwithin said rotori i or delivering ithergas from, said outlets;to;the=endsof the other chamber legs constitutinginlets, to effect .aconiitinuous closed gas fiow'jhroughithe chambers, said'; compressor including acommon diffuser passage 'wherein, the-rotational; energy imparted to :the; gas byzthecompressoristconverted into pres sure energy: to'efiect 'gasgflow, the gas fromv said difiuser'beingledl to' .thesinlet ends of the" other set i of chamber. legs without rotational energy, :means for absorbing theheatof the compressed gas, and means including a duct separatefrom xsaidchamberiand legs for. introducing a medium to be cooled in! heat ztransferr'elation with the --expanded gas.

13.: In1ac.thermodynan'iicmachine, a rotor, a "o :plurality: of.'indiyidual:;gas:' chambers spaced cir- :cumferentiallyl about; said rotor, said chambers having; radiallyaextending: portions forming legs ;:and peripheral connectingzbightsfihe ends of one set of the legsofisaidi chambers" constituting outlets and having aaxially :extending portions, a rotary compressorswithim said rotor for: deliverring .the'v gasifrom said: outlets to the ends of the -other chan'iberllegs; constituting inlets to effect :a continuoussclosedigas ilowthrough the cham- ;bers,' said compressor including a common dif- Zfuser passage whereinitherotational energy im- ;parted' to; the gas by the compressor is converted into pressureenergy' to effectgas flow, the gas ,from said difiusercbeingaledftozthe inlet=ends of the other set:of:chamber legs;.means forsabsorbring 3 the vheat;oficompression ofthe compressed gas,t'meanst includin a-iduct separate from said .chamber and legs ior'introducinga medium to be "cooled in'heattransfer relation with the expandtinggas'andmeans for further cooling the com- :pressed :gaszby the'z'residual' (low temperature of the;expanding gasQafterJheat absorption from 14. 'In;a thermodynamic machine, :a rotor, a

rplurality"oi'individual gas chambers spaced cir- -cumferentia1ly2about said 'rotor, said chambers having 'radially "extending, portions forming legs :'and*peripheralconnecting .bights, the ends of one i: set; of. the legszofqsaid chambers constituting out lets ;.-and having axially zaextendin portions, a

rotary compressor withinrsaidr rotor' for: delivering-thegas from SELidEOHtlEtS itoggthe ends-oi the :othen chamben legsto-;efiect- .a continuousclosed gas flow through the chambers,said-compressor including :a: diiTuser passage @common to ;said chambers wherein irotational energy? imparted to the gas isconverted;intoypressurei:energy a "pluralityof'stationary passages leading from said diffuser into the inlet ends .of said. other, set :of chamber legs-means for absorbing the heatuof compression, of the compressed, gas, and means including a ductseparate from saidrchambers and legs-for introducing a ;fluid to be cooledin heat transfer relation with the expanded ,gas.

15.1In a thermodynamic machine,,a rotor,;-:.a plurality of individual gas chambersspaced-circumferentially "about: said rotor,- said chambers having radially extending portions and periph- ;eral connecting bights, passage: means interconnecting the ends-ofisaid chambers for forming-a closed system,means for-rotating. said rotor from :an exterior powersource, the gas in' saidrradial chamber legs beingxprogressivelyicompressed: to-

ward the peripheral bights under .theactioniof centrifugal force, on the gas columns in the :legs, means for absorbing. the, heat of compressiontof the compressed gas, means for effecting gasfiow through said chambers, means for introducingia medium to be cooled in heat transfer relation with the expanding gas flowing. toward the axis of the rotor, and means; establishing a vacuum in the space about said rotor. to'reduce .air frictional losses incident to its rotation.

16. In a thermodynamiomachine, a rotor,.:=a plurality of individualgaschambers spaced circumferentially about said rotor, .said.;chambers having radially extending portionsand peripheral connecting. bights, passage means interconnecting the ends of said chambers to'form a closed system, means for rotating said-rotor from an exterior power source, the gas in-saidradial legs being progressively'compressed toward the peripheral bights under the action of centrifugal force on the gas-columns in the legs, means'for absorbing theiheat of compression of the. compressed gas, means for effecting gas flow through said chambers, means for introducing'a medium to be cooled in heat transfer relation with the expandinggas flowing toward the :axis of the rotor, and a closed stationary casing about said rotor, the space betweenvsaid casing and rotor being filled with low density'gas' to reduce air frictionat the exteriorrsurface of the'rotor.

:PAUL KOLLSMAN.

REFERENCES ,GITED The followingreferences' are'of record in the "file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,393,338 "Roebuck Jan. 22, 1946 JEOREIGN; PATENTS I Number (Country Date 633,985 Germany ,June 1,1937 

